Summary:
Zip code 30802 in Appling, Georgia, is home to a single elementary school, North Columbia Elementary School, which serves grades PK-5 and is part of the highly rated Columbia County School District.
North Columbia Elementary School is a standout performer, consistently ranking in the top 4-7% of all Georgia elementary schools for three consecutive years and holding a 5-star rating. Its mathematics program is exceptionally strong, with proficiency rates ranging from 70% to 84% across grades 3-5—roughly 1.5 to 1.8 times the state average. For example, 3rd-grade math proficiency hit 84.3% in the most recent year, compared to the state's 48.3%. Science is also a highlight, with 5th-grade proficiency jumping from 68.1% to 79.4% in one year, far outpacing the district and state. While English Language Arts (ELA) scores are lower than math, they still exceed state averages by 20-33 points, with 4th-grade ELA at 72.6% versus the state's 39.3%. The school's chronic absenteeism rate is just 7.8%, less than half the state average of 17.7%, despite 30% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch.
Two areas show room for growth: 5th-grade math (around 70% proficiency in both years) and 3rd-grade ELA (54.8%), though both remain well above state benchmarks. The school benefits from strong resources, spending $15,588 per student with a favorable 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. For families in this area, North Columbia Elementary School offers a reliably high-performing, well-supported learning environment with exceptional math and science outcomes, making it an outstanding educational choice.
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